LivingSocial Families Are in for a Treat

Amy Wolf, social trend expert for the website said in a press release,

“Ghosts and goblins are nowhere near as scary as the financial situation that many families are facing this year. In these tough times, it’s hard for families to justify the high cost of costumes and decorations. Our survey found that many parents are taking steps to conserve money by making their own costumes, cutting back on decorations, and looking for cost-conscious activities to do with their families.”

Other findings:

Ghost Trusters: One in seven respondents (15%) said they have seen a ghost before.

Canines vs. Curmudgeons on Costumes: Nearly one in five families (17%) dress up their pets for the holiday.

Grinches on Halloween: Only 5% of respondents said they do not celebrate Halloween

Top Family Halloween Activities

Trick or Treating – 78% of families taking part

Pumpkin Carving – 71% of families

Decorating the House – 62% of families

Going to a Pumpkin Patch – 53% of families

Attending a Kids’ Halloween Party – 45% of families

Making Halloween Arts and Crafts – 39% of families

Making Halloween Treats for School – 36% of families

Visiting a Haunted House – 35% of families

Going to a Halloween Party for Adults – 29% of families

Top Ten Favorite Halloween Candies

Reese’s – 43% of respondents rank it among their top five favorites

Snickers – 38% rank among favorites

M&Ms – 37% rank among favorites

Kit Kat – 36% rank among favorites

Twix – 29% rank among favorites

Milky Way – 22% rank among favorites

Butterfinger – 22% rank among favorites

Candy Corn – 18% rank among favorites

3 Musketeers – 18% rank among favorites

Skittles – 17% rank among favorites

The Five Most Haunted Cities (by reported ghosts/ghost stories)

Boston

New York City

Washington, DC

Chicago

Philadelphia

The Five Stingiest Cities for Candy

New York City

Los Angeles

Miami

Washington, DC

Atlanta

We hope that you won’t run into any Grinches today as you enjoy this celebration of all things spooky. Me? I’ll be watching Ghost Hunters Live for the third year in a row and maybe this time I’ll actually spot a ghost. You never know.

Have a safe and happy Halloween because tomorrow, the holiday shopping madness officially begins.